DIAMOND TUBES AND FIBERS

Diamond-coated fibers, diamond tubes, and diamond fibers were produced using a hot-filament-assisted chemical vapor deposition process. Diam ond coatings were deposited on prepared fiber substrates of silicon ca rbide, copper, tungsten, and copper-coated graphite. Diamond tubes wer e produced in situ as a result of the removal of the substrate by atom ic hydrogen or after deposition by dissolving the substrate using a ch emical etch. Diamond fibers in the shape of a half-cylinder were produ ced by masking a portion of the substrate fiber and removing the diamo nd after deposition. The diamond tubes and fibers that have been produ ced are typically 2-3 cm in length and are self-supporting structures.